Derbyshire councillor sounds warning over Travellers moving around area

A councillor has urged Derbyshire residents to make sure their land is secure to prevent Travellers from setting up illegal encampments.
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According to Councillor Colin Swindell, a group of Travellers was evicted from the car park of Bakewell’s Agricultural Business Centre last Wednesday after Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) took legal action.

Coun Swindell said some of the Travellers then moved on to the Square and Compass campsite at Station Road, Darley Dale, before leaving there by the weekend.

Derbyshire Dales District Council took legal action against Travellers in Bakewell.Derbyshire Dales District Council took legal action against Travellers in Bakewell.
Derbyshire Dales District Council took legal action against Travellers in Bakewell.
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He is now urging owners of large pieces of land accessible from the roadside in Darley Dale to lock, barricade or block access so Travellers cannot enter.

Coun Swindell, who represents the Winster and South Darley ward on DDDC, said: “The Travellers had vacated the Square and Compass site by Saturday morning.

“I have no information on where they went to.

“Evicting Travellers from a site does not remove the problem – it simply moves it.

“There is clearly a concern that the Travellers will look for a new site to set up camp straightaway.

“This could be in the immediate locality or further afield.

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“I am therefore asking residents in my ward, who own large pieces of land accessible from the roadside, to ensure that they are locked, barricaded or blocked to prevent entry.

“Please help to make others aware.

“This will prevent damage to your property and lengthy and costly court proceedings to have Travellers evicted.”

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